The Swirling Hijaab

This is a superb book, with evocative full-page colour illustrations sweeping across each double-page spread. A simple but equally evocative text in rhyme relates all that a hijaab can be to the muslim girl in the text: 'My mum's hijaab is black and soft and wide, A fort for me to hide inside! A ship's sails flapping in the air, A comforter when she's not there...' The pictures capture these images in soft colours and present positive, self-confident images. The swirling hijaab is to the little girl a source of comfort and imaginary play, but as the text affirms at the end: 'covering my mum as part of her faith / Is what the hijaab does best.' A very welcome dual language title for primary classrooms as it invites opportunities for sharing religious, cultural and personal experience. (Available in 20 dual language editions.)